Dwayne Johnson is earning praises from left, right, and centre after the trailer of his upcoming movie, ‘The Smashing Machine’, dropped recently and has earned millions of views rather quickly. Portraying the role of the legendary heavyweight fighter Mark Kerr, it’s not going to be the typical action flick that ‘The Rock’ has become such a big star for. Instead, it’s a much more story-driven approach that Johnson has taken, and it showed in the nearly 3-minute trailer.
‘The Rock’, while talking about his decision to make a biopic on Kerr, was feeling a bit monotonous in constantly making big-budget blockbusters. While he still loves to make those huge box-office movies, Johnson was to up the ante for once, and that’s how he ended up making ‘The Smashing Machine’. The decision to “challenge” himself has proven to be the right one because UFC legend and Hall of Famer Michael Bisping appears to love the trailer, claiming that the former WWE champion’s acting chops seem “absolutely phenomenal.”
Added to Johnson’s acting, Bisping was also glad to see Emily Blunt as the supporting actress and the female lead in the movie, which has increased the possibility of ‘The Smashing Machine’ becoming a success when it hits the theaters. Moreover, ‘The Count’ also believes that playing Mark Kerr suits Johnson because he’s not a stranger to the physicality that the role demands, given his experience in WWE.
“It’s got a great cast. Emily Blunt, of course, ‘The Rock’, who’s done a tremendous amount of movies. He could wrestle as well. So, he’s going to be able to do all the physicality of the role—the wrestling, the punch and the kick, the mixed martial arts,” Michael Bisping stated on his YouTube channel. Not only does the movie feature the aforementioned actors, but also some of the biggest names from the combat sports world, including undisputed boxing heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, which will perhaps draw more fight fans to watch the movie.
Excited to share the official trailer for Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE, starring Dwayne Johnson and Academy Award nominee Emily Blunt.
In theaters October 3rd.https://t.co/bbqGUG22am
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 29, 2025
“If you’re an MMA fan or a boxing fan, you recognize a few familiar faces in there as well,” Bisping further stated, as he went on to point out another big milestone Dwayne Johnson could reach when this movie hits the theatres in October. Here’s what he had to say.
Dwayne Johnson’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ is a proper look into an MMA fighter’s journey
Well, it’s pretty well known that there have been many movies based on MMA, ranging from ‘Undisputed’ to the ‘Never Back Down’ franchises. However, there’s never been a movie where there’s an actual look into the hardships and sacrifices that a fighter makes to get to the top of the sport. Mark Kerr’s life story is certainly one to dive into because with his highs in professional life, there were certain lows as well, especially his issues with opioids.
“If you’re an MMA fan or a boxing fan, you recognize a few familiar faces in there as well,” Michael Bisping further stated. “So, I’m really excited for this because… I don’t think there’s been a movie that truly captures the heart or the essence of mixed martial arts and the journey what all the fighters go through. And of course, with Mark Kerr, the story is that he was struggling with an opioid addiction as well. It looks like it’s going to be really, really good.”
Given that Dwayne Johnson is the star of the movie, Bisping is hoping that this movie is a success and the former 2-time UFC tournament winner gets the credit and the money that he deserves from it. “Mixed martial arts gives you a great life, and this certainly looks like it’s going to be a tremendous movie. So, well done to everyone involved. I hope Mark Kerr makes an absolute fortune off this,” the Hall of Famer added.
Well, what do you make of the trailer of ‘The Smashing Machine’? Let us know in the comments down below.
The post “Absolutely Phenomenal” – Dwayne Johnson Gets UFC Hall-of-Famer’s Vote of Confidence on ‘The Smashing Machine’ appeared first on EssentiallySports.